Kasey Kahne and Leavine Family Racing’s (LFR) stellar run at Daytona International Speedway ended early after a second-stage wreck provided no way out for Kahne and the No. 95 Procore Camaro ZL1.
Kahne started the “Great American Race” from the 26th position and quickly worked his way into the Top-15. The first caution fell on lap nine, allowing Kahne to pit for fuel only. Kahne made it as far as fifth place before getting bumped loose and was forced to dive down pit road. Kahne dropped back to 37th and was no longer in the draft.
Crew Chief, Travis Mack, told the team they would be half a lap short on fuel and that Kahne would need to race for the Lucky Dog position, should he get lapped. Fortunately, a caution came out before Kahne was lapped, and he was able to pit for fuel and tires. Kahne restarted 26th with five laps remaining in the first stage.
While driving up to 13th, Kahne avoided a wreck, as the field crossed the green / checkered flag for the end of the stage. Kahne finished 11th, barely missing out on obtaining LFR’s first stage points of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) season.
Kahne began the second stage in 11th, making it back up to as high as sixth place. Another caution on lap 93 allowed Kahne to pit once again for fuel only. He would restart 8th with 23 laps remaining in the second stage.
On lap 101 the front of the pack began to wreck, providing no way out for Kahne. He was unable to avoid the wreckage, ending LFR’s day early.
“I couldn’t see what happened,” said Kahne. “I was just on the outside entering the corner and then Chase (Elliott) came across and hit the wall. By the sounds of it in the infield care center, him and Brad (Keselowski) got together, but I didn’t see any of it. I’m disappointed. Our Procore Camaro ZL1 was good. We kept getting back towards the front and then falling, but we were fighting. We had a great car all of Speedweeks, and we are going to get ready for Atlanta.”
Next up LFR and Kahne is Atlanta Motor Speedway, LFR’s first shot at a 1.5-mile track since their pre-season test at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
LFR PR/Photo Sean Gardner/Getty Images
